William k



(No Model.)

' W. R. PATTER N. THERMAL DOOR 0 R. No. 427,899. Patented May 13, 1890.

I; H 7 WW 6/ a W] H UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM R. PATTERSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE WVESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

THERMAL DOOR-CLOSER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 427,899, dated May 13, 1890.

' Application filed January 31, 1889. Serial No. 298,226. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: In connection with each door I provide a Be it known that I, \VILLIAM R. PATTER- spring device, preferably of the form illus- SON, a citizen of the United States, residing trated in Fig. 3. This spring device consists at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of the coil a,with which is connected an arm I). 5 of Illinois, have invented a certain new and The tension of the spring is such thatwhen the useful Improvement in Thermal Door-Glosarm I) is released it may be forced against the ers, (Case No. 7 7,) of which the following is a door to close the same, the springbeing so set as full, clear, concise, and exact description, refto exert some pressure upon the door when the erence being had to the accompanying drawdooris closed. The arm I) is normally held in 6o :0 ings, forming a part of this specification. the position shown by a lever c, pivoted as My invention relates to automatic means shown and held in position by a cord or wire (I, for closing fire-doors and fire-shutters, and its in which is included a fusible piece or link 6. object is to close up the openings in a building This fusible link e is preferably placed near whenever the heat increases above a certain the top of the opening, so thatitwill be with- I5 predetermined limit. In case of Wide openin any hot draft of air that may be forced ings double doors on each side of the opening through the opening. This link may be pro are usually provided, and in such cases it is tected from mechanical injury by a perfonecessary that a particular door of each pair rated jacketf. As shown in the drawings, theshall close before the other in order that the fusible link a is connected in the cords d, 2o doors may be latched together and the openwhich hold the locking devices of the springs ing completely closed. Large windows are of doors g h. It will be understood that simialso closed in a similar manner by a single lar devices for retaining the spring closing pair of shutters. device of each door will be provided.

My invention consists in springs held at We will suppose the link 6 to be fusible at 25 the desired tension by fusible devices and ar- 150 Fahrenheit. Thus when the temperaranged to act upon the doors and shutters ture rises to 150 the link 6 will be fused, whenever the temperature rises sufficiently thus releasing cords d, and the doors g h will to melt the fusible wire or link which retains be closed. These doors being thus closed, the spring or the locking mechanism thereof. there will be a smaller opening,and, the blast 0 My invention also consists in such an arof hot air being now forced through the rangement of the mechanism as will cause smaller opening the temperature will be inthe proper'door or shutter of each pair to creased to fuse the link 1 which is a higher close first, in order that the opening, whether melting-point-we will say, for example, 17 0. in an interior wall or outside wall, maybe se The doors 70 Z will therefore be closed imme- 35 curely closed Where pairs of doors or shutdiately after the doors g h. In this manner ters are used. The doors or shutters, when it will be seen that I am enabled to close the closed, will be held by the tension of the doors automatically and in the particular sesprings only, but will not be locked so as to quence required. prevent the firemen from opening them as It will be seen that when the fusible links 4o occasion may require. are placed in the opening the doors will My invention is illustrated in the accompanot be closed unless the draft is from the fire nying drawings, in whichthrough the opening. If the draft is from.

Figure 1 is aplan showing two sets of doors without through the opening toward the fire,

open in connection with my automatic closthe links will not be fused and the doors will 5 45 ing devices. Fig. 2 is afront elevation of one remain open, thus preventing the room from side of the wall shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a becoming filled with'smoke. I therefore prefdetailed view of one of the springs and the erably place the fusible parts below the linlocking device which is released when the tel of the door, as shown.

wire connected therewith is fused. The springs are preferably placed on the I00 50 Like parts are indicated by similar letters wall above the doors, so as to be out of the of reference throughout the different figures. way, but ready to operate with the greatest efficiency. In case of shutters, for convenience in resetting the springs, they may be placed below upon the wall in a corresponding position. In case of windows the fusible portions would of course be placed under the lintel of the window-frame.

Having thus described n1 y invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The combination, with a pair of doors or shutters, of spring closing devices, one for each door, adapted to press against the doors, respectively, and close the same when set in action, said spring devices being normally held out of action by retaining devices, each retaining device containing a fusible link, the fusible links being placed at or near the upper portion of the opening and being adapted to fuse at different temperatures, whereby the doors may be automatically closed in a particular sequence, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The combination, with a pair of doors or shutters, of spring closing devices, one for each door, adapted to press against the doors respectively, and close the same when set in action, said spring devices being normally held out of action by retaining devices, each retaining device containing a fusible link, the fusible links being adapted to fuse at different temperatures, whereby the doors may be automatically closed in a particular sequence, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In Witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 22d day of January, A. D. 1889.

\VILLlAlli R. PATTERSON.

Witnesses:

Gnonon 1. BARTON, ELLA EDLER. 

